Raj govt hands over investigation in crude oil theft to SOG

Jaisalmer: The state government on Friday handed over the case involving theft of crores of rupees of crude oil at Cairn Oil and Gas in Barmer to SOG. The SOG team has started the investigation. On the other hand, Cairn Oil and Gas cancelled around 45 tenders and terminated more than 500 employees of outsourced companies and blacklisted over seven contractors.

Police are on the lookout for over 100 culprits in the case. The arrests are likely to yield some major leads.

“The gang stole five crores of crude oil in last five years. Looking to the seriousness of the case, the government has handed over the case to SOG and the team reached Barmer on Friday. As oil and gas is a national property, so the case becomes very sensitive. Police have demanded documents related to oil and gas and many documents are yet to be received after which the investigation will gain momentum,” said Barmer SP Gagandeep Singhla.

“Till now, around 35 people have been arrested. A large number of culprits are still absconding, many of whom are associated with construction company, Narendra Roadlines. The tankers of the company were involved in the theft. More arrests are likely in the coming days,” said SP Singhla.

“We have asked Cairn Oil and Gas for details to know which persons were involved in the scam,” he added.

Moreover, Cairn Oil and Gas has started investigation at its level. Contracts of many companies have been cancelled and 500 people from outsourced companies have been removed and 45 tenders have been cancelled.

Cairn Oil and Gas in an official statement said, “As part of the investigation into the recent crude theft case, Cairn Oil and Gas has suspended some of its vendors”.

The company had earlier informed the police about suspicious tanker movements and filed an FIR in this case. Company is supporting the police in the investigation.

Police have demanded the list of officers, tanker owners, tanker drivers, tender holding companies and others responsible for theft of crude oil. Records of oil production and oil emptied in Mangala Processing Terminal have also been sought. “If Cairn Oil and Gas fails to provide the information, then we will get details from Gurgaon office of the company,” police said. A few days ago, Congress IT cell co-coordinator Manoj Gurjar was arrested for involvement in the theft. During inquiry, it was found that he was involved in the scam for the last one year. He has been taken on remand till August 1.

“To save the environment and to fight climate change, my government has planned a major campaign. By 2022, we want to generate 175 GW of renewable energy. In the last three years, we have already achieved 60 GW or around one-third of this target,” he said.